NCAA Basketball Rankings 2012: Mid-Major Rankings for Week 8

Week 7 contained plenty of excitement among mid-majors. South Dakota State and Canisius picked up huge wins, defeating New Mexico and Temple on the road, respectively, Middle Tennessee defeated a SEC opponent for the second time this year, and Northern Iowa defeated St. Mary's in a battle between premier mid-major programs.

Read on to see the complete mid-major Top 25.

(I consider a mid-major to be any team that does not compete in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, SEC, Pac-12, Atlantic 10, Conference USA or Mountain West.)

25. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 9-3

Last Week's Rank: Not Ranked

Notable Wins: Southern Miss (Home)

Louisiana Tech is 2-2 since starting the season with a 7-1 record. The Bulldogs have one of the more dynamic scorers in the WAC in sophomore Raheem Appleby, who is averaging 17.8 points on 44.1-percent shooting.

On Saturday they will begin conference play as they host the Denver Pioneers.

20. Canisius Golden Griffins

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 8-3, 2-0 MAAC

Last Week's Rank: Not Ranked

Notable Wins: Saint Bonaventure (Home), Temple (Road)

Canisius has been the biggest surprise among mid-majors this season. The Golden Griffins were picked No. 9 in the MAAC back in October, but right now they are alone at the top of the standings with a 2-0 conference record.

On Wednesday, Canisius picked up a very impressive win at Temple, outscoring the Owls by 18 points in the second half to win by 10, and a few days later they played a close game with UNLV but lost.

10. South Dakota State Jackrabbits

Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 10-4, 1-0 Summit

Last Week's Rank: 14

Notable Wins: Marshall (Neutral), New Mexico (Road)

South Dakota State picked up its best regular-season win in school history with a 70-65 win at previously unbeaten New Mexico. The Jackrabbits took a 5-3 lead early in the game and never relinquished it as Nate Wolters led the way with 28 points, four rebounds and seven assists.

The Jackrabbits will begin Summit League play at North Dakota State on Saturday.